Today, supporters of the jailed former Prime Minister of Pakistan Imran Khan are protesting across the country for their demands. Imran gave a message on November 13, in which he asked his supporters to demonstrate across the country on Sunday, November 24. Imran termed this demonstration as the final call.
Imran's party Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) and supporters are protesting with three demands. The first demand is that Imran Khan and PTI workers should be released soon. In addition, to accept the results of the elections held in 2024 and to withdraw the 26th Constitutional Amendment Act passed by the Pakistani Parliament which reduces the powers of the courts.
After Imran Khan's announcement, an alert was declared in Pakistan on Friday itself. Mobile and internet facilities have been stopped in many areas of the capital Islamabad. Protesters have been warned of arrest. Major roads leading to the capital Islamabad have been blocked.
Khan has announced the protest while Belarus President Alexander Lukashenko is coming to Pakistan a day later on November 25. Earlier today, his delegation will reach Pakistan.
Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi reviewed the security arrangements in Islamabad on November 23.
Join the protest or leave the party, Khan said
Announcing the protest, Imran Khan told the supporters – You have to decide whether you want to live in martial law or freedom. Imran asked PTI workers to join the protest on November 24 or leave the party.
PTI also released a statement saying that the march towards Islamabad will begin on November 24. Since September, supporters of Imran Khan have been protesting at some level for his release. After the announcement of Imran Khan's protest, Pakistan's Shahbaz Sharif government has prepared to stop it.
Public gatherings have been banned in the capital Islamabad, Rawalpindi and Punjab province. The main roads leading to the capital Islamabad have been blocked with 1200 containers. 6,325 personnel of Islamabad Police besides 21,500 personnel of other forces have been deployed to quell the protests. 6000 anti-riot police personnel have also been deployed in Rawalpindi.
Half of the routes through containers in Pakistan have been closed. Security personnel have also been deployed.
There are more than 100 cases against Khan
More than 100 cases are pending against Imran Khan. A local court in Islamabad convicted him in the Toshakha case on August 5, 2023. After this, he was arrested from his house in Zaman Park, Islamabad and sent to jail. He was later convicted in 2 more cases. According to the English newspaper Dawn, if Imran is released from jail, he will demand re-election in Pakistan.
Imran's Tehreek-e-Insaf party could not officially participate in this year's general elections. In a post on Imran Khan's X (Twitter) account on July 5, the general elections held on February 8 this year were called fake. In such a situation, neither the Shahbaz government nor the army would want Khan to be released at any cost.
Won maximum seats despite being in jail
General elections were held in Pakistan on February 8. Before this, Khan was convicted in 3 consecutive cases one after the other. Due to which he could not participate in the election. His party symbol was taken away before the elections. All the party leaders contested the elections as independents. Despite this, supporters of Khan's party PTI won 93 out of 342 seats in Pakistan's National Assembly. However, the Pakistan Muslim League and the Pakistan People's Party formed the government together. Shahbaz Sharif became the Prime Minister.
Image Credit: (Divya-Bhaskar): Images/graphics belong to (Divya-Bhaskar).
